Construction workers plan mass meeting
| |
For too long we have been treated as second class citizens in this industry
|
Cuts in holiday pay and exclusion from partnership negotiations are just two of the issues that could lead to industrial unrest among construction workers this week
The Dublin Alliance of General Construction Operatives (DAGCO) is to hold a mass meeting of its members in Dublin's Liberty Hall next week.
DAGCO believes that building work will ``grind to a halt'' in the city the afternoon of the mass meeting. The meeting was called because of the exclusion of DAGCO representatives from the negotiations on Health, Safety, Pensions, Pay and Representation.
drew McGuinness, one of DAGCO's spokespersons, argued that the general operatives had ``been snubbed time and time again. ``For too long we have been treated as second class citizens in this industry ``said McGuinness.
DAGCO has also been demanding places on the Construction Industry's National Joint Industrial Council. DAGCO wanted to be on the council to ensure that their members were ``full informed, consulted and represented in the current review of the Registered Employment Agreement (REA)''.
Robbie McEnroe of DAGCO explained the opeartives position on the council. He said ``The REA is the cornerstone for pay and conditions for over 100,000 workers. it is ridiculous to think in an era of so-called partnership, that there are no lay representatives on this Council. We simply want to assist and support our officials in securing a comprehensive agreement that provides general construction workers with secure, quality employment''.
The exclusion of DAGCO representatives from the council is all the more significant as it has been reported that the pay element of the review could mean a pay cut for thousands of workers.
Robbe McEnroe has warned: ``If we are not given an opportunity to participate in an effective partnership arrangement, we will examine alternative industrial relations concepts.
drew McGuinness told An Phoblacht that at the meeting next week construction workers would discuss their exclusion from the reviews and would formulate a strategy to ensure they are effectively represented in their industry.
other issue that is causing concern is the failure of many building contractors to pay regular wage allowances in building workers' holiday pay.
Building workers are normally allowed at least one hour travelling allowance. For some workers this rises to up to two and half hours travelling allowance a day. It means a cut of more than £6.50 a day from the holiday pay of general construcion operatives.
DAGCO spokesperson Andrew McGuinness believes:
``Construction workers should have all regular allowances included in their pay... It is quite scandalous that ordinary workers should receive considerably less than their normal week's pay when they go on holidays.''
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)